Constrained immunogenic compositions and uses therefor

Abstract

A stable immunogenic or vaccine composition comprising a complex or polyhedra comprising same comprising an antigen of a pathogen or other antigen against which a immune response is sought in a human or non-human animal subject and a polyhedrin protein derived from a cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus (CPV), Delivery of the complex to a subject in substantially polyhedral form induces an immune response thereto. Methods of using same to elicit an immune response.

1 . A stable immunogenic or vaccine composition, comprising a complex comprising:
 an antigen of a pathogen or other antigen against which an immune response is sought in a human or non-human animal subject; and   a polyhedrin protein derived from a cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus (CPV), wherein delivery of the complex to a subject in substantially particulate polyhedral form induces an immune response thereto.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the antigen is fused to a polyhedrin targeting peptide. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the targeting peptide is derived from the N-terminal H1 α-helix of a CPV polyhedrin or is a functional variant thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the immune response to the complex includes a cellular or a humoral response. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the immune response to the polyhedrin or polyhedrin peptide portion of the complex comprises a cellular or humoral response. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the immune response to the polyhedrin or polyhedrin peptide portion of the complex comprises inflammasome activation. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the antigen in the polyhedra is heat stable. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the antigen in the polyhedra displays decreased degradation. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , comprising a pharmaceutically or physiologically acceptable carrier and/or diluent. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1 , for use in the manufacture of a vaccine for the treatment or prevention of an infection, disease or condition associated with the antigen. 
     
     
         11 . A vaccine for the treatment or prevention of an infection, disease or condition associated with antigen, comprising the composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . A method for eliciting an immune response in a subject or patient, the method comprising administering to the subject or patient an effective amount of a composition of  claim 1  and under conditions to elicit an immune response. 
     
     
         13 . A method for immunizing a subject against infection or disease or a condition associated with the antigen, comprising administering to the subject a composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         14 . A method for treating or preventing infection by a pathogen or a cancer or other condition, comprising administering to the subject a composition of  claim 1  for a time and under conditions sufficient to treat or prevent the infection or cancer or disease or condition. 
     
     
         15 . A method for producing an isolated or purified antibody or immune cell that specifically binds to an antigen of a pathogen or other antigen against which a immune response is sought in a human or non-human animal subject or patient, comprising administering to a subject an effective amount of a composition of  claim 1 , and isolating or purifying the antibody or immune cell.